By Staff

The Stanley Cup Final shifts to Las Vegas tonight as the Golden Knights prepare to host the Carolina Hurricanes for Game 3, with the series tied at one game apiece. The home crowd is anticipated to play a pivotal role in this crucial matchup.

Following two thrilling games in Raleigh, the series has already highlighted the significant impact that an energized and engaged crowd can have on the game’s outcome. The atmosphere at PNC Arena during the first two games was electric, with fans creating a challenging environment for the road team.

Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart became a focal point for the crowd, which sporatically chanted “No means no,” referencing a sexual assault charge stemming from a high-profile case involving the 2018 Canada Junior hockey team. The taunting was praised on social media by former SA victims despite Hart and the five other players involved being acquitted, after the judge found the accuser’s testimony to be “unreliable.”

Like PNC Arena, the T-Mobile Arena is known for its raucous atmosphere, and the crowd’s energy could be a crucial factor in helping the Golden Knights regain the series lead. However, they will need more than just crowd support; Hart, who is a front runner for the Conn Smythe (Playoff MVP), is expected to be the key factor.

The combination of high stakes, a passionate home crowd, and the backdrop of the legal issues surrounding Hart makes Game 3 a must-watch for hockey fans everywhere. The upcoming clash promises to be an exciting chapter in this thrilling Stanley Cup Final.

Lead image — The Stanley Cup was presented to the crowd with Vegas Golden Knights’ Carter Hart (79) in the background prior to the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)